Drink-driving offenders should be named, say 68% of motorists

24 Oct 2016
Posted by Barry Aldworth

• 68% of drivers support the introduction of a live register naming those found guilty of drink-driving offences• Almost 1/2 of drivers, however, say such a move wouldn’t affect their driving behaviour.• 1 in 5 drivers admit risk of being ‘named and shamed’ would have a major effect on their driving.

68% of Irish motorists believe that those found guilty of drink-driving offences should have their names published on a live register.

In an AA Membership and Motor Insurance survey of over 11,000 motorists, 44.92% of drivers said they “strongly supported” the proposal, with a further 22.59% being “somewhat” supportive. Among the main reasons for supporting the idea was the belief that the risk of being ‘named and shamed’ would further discourage people from driving while over the legal limit.

Despite the high level of support for such an initiative, over 48% of drivers admitted such a change would have no effect on their driving behaviour. However, the positive news is that many of those who said the change would have no impact on their driving stated that this was because they would never drink and drive.

Commenting on the findings Conor Faughnan, Director of Consumer Affairs at The AA, stated “Drinking and driving is a reckless, shameful behaviour that should be part of Ireland’s past and not our future. Motorists have consistently supported strong enforcement and strong sanctions for the offence. Sadly though it is clear that there are people who have not got the message. It is a tragic Irish problem that hasn’t gone away.”

While increased efforts have been made in recent years to highlight the risks of drink-driving, the AA survey suggests that some drivers may still be taking the risk of driving while over the legal limit of 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood (0.05). Over 19% of those asked said the risk of being ‘named and shamed’ would have a major impact on their driving habits.

If a live register for drink-drivers was introduced, older drivers appear to be the most likely group to see their driving habits changed. Over 30% of drivers over the age of 56 admitted this system would have at least a “moderate effect” on their behaviour.

Earlier this year, an AA Survey found that 13% of motorists had driven while over the legal limit in the past year.